State disappointed with paddy MSP hike

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the Centre’s decision to increase the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy by Rs 80 per quintal (from 1, 470 per quintal to Rs 1, 550).
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro said the hike is too less and even if the state wants to support the farmers with bonus, it cannot do so due to restrictions imposed by the Centre.
“The BJD would stage protests against this injustice being done to farmers of the state and request the Centre to revise its decision,” he said.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan termed the allegations as baseless. He said the Centre has hiked MSP of paddy three times in the last three years. It has made provision for agri loan at the lowest rate of interest. It has also introduced Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Odisha Assembly had earlier unanimously passed a resolution demanding a hike in paddy MSP to Rs 2,930 per quintal. The House Committee chaired by the speaker had also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present their demand for consideration. However, the House Committee has not so far been able to meet the Prime Minister, said BJD Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy.